Community Calendar

Join Founding Drummer of Counting Crows, Steve Bowman to learn how to make the sounds from the music of the Appalachians in a small group. The class is approx. 1.5 hrs. (with a small break) and limited to 6 students. It is hands on, interactive, and all instruments are provided.

Every part of the world has its own unique percussion instruments and our country is no exception. Shaped by the natural materials available and the musical needs of the community, the instruments that helped shape early American music often came from common household items – basically, anything close at hand that happened to sound good! In this class we will learn to play the following traditional instruments:
Washboard – Historic, fun, great sounding, and easy to play!
Spoons – Spoons are back! And with a little practice, it’s like having a tiny tap dancer in your hand.
Cajon – Though not traditionally Appalachian, the Cajon is a simple wooden box that recreates the sound of a drum set at a lower, more controlled volume.

Whether at a campfire, a drum circle, river jam, porch pull, small house concert, or even by yourself, this class I will introduce and guide you toward playing traditional percussion with confidence and musicality.

Instructor Bio: Steve Bowman, who recently moved to Southern Oregon, has worked as a professional musician for over 30 years. His book (Groove Control) was published in 2006, a podcast (Letters To An Aspiring Musician) aired in 2022, and he currently does sessions and teaches group lessons to support causes he believes in. He was the founding member and drummer of Counting Crows. he went on to play with Third Eye Blind, John Wesley Harding and Penelope Houston. In 1998, Bowman and his band Luce recorded the song “Good Day”, which was featured in the films How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) and 13 Going on 30 (2004). Bowman also played on Luce’s second record which produced the hit single “Buy a Dog”.

Join us for a special celebration of Children’s Day at the Ashland Japanese Garden from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

This free event honors “Kodomo no Hi”, a Japanese holiday dedicated to celebrating children’s happiness and individuality. Discover the rich traditions of this holiday, including the raising of ‘koinobori’ windsocks symbolizing strength and growth.

Kids can enjoy interactive stations with traditional Japanese toys and cultural activities.

Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association is proud to announce the 2026 Spring Garden Fair. This is the largest gardening event in Southern Oregon, and this year we are even bigger with vendors in the Mace and Padgham Buildings! We will be selling plants grown by our Master Gardener student volunteers, including a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, as well as a large selection of native plants from our Native Plant Nursery. There will be local nurseries and businesses for all things garden related, children’s activities, a snack bar, and food Demonstration from Master Food Preservers. As always, Master Gardeners will be available to answer all your gardening questions.

Hope to see you there!

Where: Jackson County Expo
Mace and Padgham Buildings

When: May 2 and 3, 2026
Saturday 9:00- 4:00 and Sunday 10:00-2:00

Information: Admission $5.00
Free Parking
Jacksoncountymga.org

The Best of the Best features high school students from Southern Oregon. The show is juried on who gets to show their art; each school is allowed 10 projects. Once the museum puts the art on display a committee of local artists judge the art for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Show is up until May 5th. Come down and show these young artists your support.

Jackson County, OR – On Sunday, May 3, the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program invites garden enthusiasts for a one-day-only chance to explore three gardens around Medford. The participating gardens are:

A Hillside Garden. This woodland oasis displays white oak and various native plants. The garden focuses on building healthy soil to provide for healthy plants. A key aspect is the harmony created with no pesticide use and climate-friendly tactics.

Bonnie's English Cottage Garden. This Mediterranean sanctuary features perennials and flowering trees like golden chain, rhododendron, and peony surrounded by bird baths and a variety of garden art. Color, texture, and line are key aspects of this .22-acre garden.

Italio Gardens. This woodland refuge displays rare species including both native and non-native conifers, Japanese maple cultivars, and subtropical plants like Begonia. The star feature is the grand waterfall into a goldfish and koi pond.

Photo Credits: Baldassare Mineo (Garden Host)

Tours of Private Gardens in Medford, OR - Sunday, May 3 Open Day
https://mailchi.mp/gardenconservancy.org/coming-soon-medford?e=[UNIQID]

Join Founding Drummer of Counting Crows, Steve Bowman to learn how to make the sounds from the music of the Appalachians in a small group. The class is approx. 1.5 hrs. (with a small break) and limited to 6 students. It is hands on, interactive, and all instruments are provided.

Every part of the world has its own unique percussion instruments and our country is no exception. Shaped by the natural materials available and the musical needs of the community, the instruments that helped shape early American music often came from common household items – basically, anything close at hand that happened to sound good! In this class we will learn to play the following traditional instruments:

Washboard – Historic, fun, great sounding, and easy to play!
Spoons – Spoons are back! And with a little practice, it’s like having a tiny tap dancer in your hand.
Cajon – Though not traditionally Appalachian, the Cajon is a simple wooden box that recreates the sound of a drum set at a lower, more controlled volume.
Whether at a campfire, a drum circle, river jam, porch pull, small house concert, or even by yourself, this class I will introduce and guide you toward playing traditional percussion with confidence and musicality.

Instructor Bio: Steve Bowman, who recently moved to Southern Oregon, has worked as a professional musician for over 30 years. His book (Groove Control) was published in 2006, a podcast (Letters To An Aspiring Musician) aired in 2022, and he currently does sessions and teaches group lessons to support causes he believes in. He was the founding member and drummer of Counting Crows. he went on to play with Third Eye Blind, John Wesley Harding and Penelope Houston. In 1998, Bowman and his band Luce recorded the song “Good Day”, which was featured in the films How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) and 13 Going on 30 (2004). Bowman also played on Luce’s second record which produced the hit single “Buy a Dog”.

Recently highlighted by Forbes as “the charming, wine-soaked cousin of the big cities,” join the Jacksonville Wine Cruise on Sunday, May 3rd, and enjoy a day exploring the Rogue Valley’s beautiful wine country!

Cruise tickets ($69) include a commemorative glass, 2 wine samples, and a paired appetizer at each of the seven wineries.

Transportation: Shuttles run every 20 minutes between participating wineries from 12:20 PM – 6:00 PM.

Ages: 21 and over only.

For questions about your order, please get in touch with the winery you have chosen as your starting point.

Participating wineries include:
- Daisy Creek
- DANCIN
- Dos Mariposas
- Hummingbird Estate
- Rellik
- Remotion
- South Stage Cellars

Join Founding Drummer of Counting Crows, Steve Bowman to learn how to make the sounds from the music of the Appalachians in a small group. The class is approx. 1.5 hrs. (with a small break) and limited to 6 students. It is hands on, interactive, and all instruments are provided.

Every part of the world has its own unique percussion instruments and our country is no exception. Shaped by the natural materials available and the musical needs of the community, the instruments that helped shape early American music often came from common household items – basically, anything close at hand that happened to sound good! In this class we will learn to play the following traditional instruments:

Washboard – Historic, fun, great sounding, and easy to play!
Spoons – Spoons are back! And with a little practice, it’s like having a tiny tap dancer in your hand.
Cajon – Though not traditionally Appalachian, the Cajon is a simple wooden box that recreates the sound of a drum set at a lower, more controlled volume.

Whether at a campfire, a drum circle, river jam, porch pull, small house concert, or even by yourself, this class I will introduce and guide you toward playing traditional percussion with confidence and musicality.

Instructor Bio: Steve Bowman, who recently moved to Southern Oregon, has worked as a professional musician for over 30 years. His book (Groove Control) was published in 2006, a podcast (Letters To An Aspiring Musician) aired in 2022, and he currently does sessions and teaches group lessons to support causes he believes in. He was the founding member and drummer of Counting Crows. he went on to play with Third Eye Blind, John Wesley Harding and Penelope Houston. In 1998, Bowman and his band Luce recorded the song “Good Day”, which was featured in the films How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) and 13 Going on 30 (2004). Bowman also played on Luce’s second record which produced the hit single “Buy a Dog”.

Why have a meditation practice?
Proven benefits of this practice:
Stress reduction
Lessened emotional reactivity
Lowered negative emotions
Clearer sense of purpose
Increased Discernment (wisdom)
Sense of well-being and calmness

Join this instructional and discussion meditation group:
Please text (970)319-1697 or email jessbates@gmail.com to register.
Sundays, 2-4pm Ashland Oregon

Meditation is a progressive practice, and sometimes very subtle. This group is provided to give you a framework for your practice, and a discussion opportunity for clarifying your experiences and to avoid getting 'stuck' which can happen in various ways.
We are a joyful community, excited to be taking part in our individual explorations of consciousness and learning how that relates to our realities.

Taught in practical, direct and non-sectarian terminology.